A BURGLAR has been locked up for stealing jewellery, gym equipment and £400 from a Coventry home.

David O’Neill broke into a house in Broomfield Road, Earlsdon, on June 22 this year.

His haul also included a laptop and £200 worth of jewellery, a court heard.

O’Neill, aged 20, of Hedgefield Way, Tile Hill, was sentenced to 32 months in a detention centre after pleading guilty to burglary in a hearing at Coventry Crown Court .

Seven other offences carried out between February and June this year – including burglary, attempted burglary and shoplifting – were taken into consideration.

Steven Bailey, prosecuting, told the court: “This is his third strike burglary.

“The occupier of the property went out at 11am and got back at 5.50pm. He couldn’t get in because the burglar had chains against the front door.

“Sports gym equipment, £400 in cash, a laptop, signet rings and jewellery was stolen. Not all but some of the possessions were later recovered.

“At about 3.50pm a stranger at a nearby pub saw two people acting suspiciously, doing something with a holdall bag.

“Police were called and the burglars were seen.

“The holdall was hidden in a railway track. A photo was taken from which the defendant was identified.”

Ian Speed, defending, said: “He has responsibilities. His partner gave birth to a baby girl on July 27.

“He has finally realised the life he led from drug habit and other matters has wasted some 20 years.

“He came to the conclusion that this will be his last sentence and wanted to clear up all the other matters so he can start the life he wishes to lead. He has been on a drug and alcohol awareness programme. Not only has he come down on the drugs but given up smoking which is quite an accomplishment.

“His family are fully supportive of him and are going to help him when he is eventually released.”

Recorder Geraint Walkers, sentencing, said: “It seems to me after looking at this offence that the seven taken into consideration are a catalogue of burglaries and means that effectively I’m dealing with a persistent burglar.

“You have your guilty plea and I have also heard the fact that you came clean to the police about other offences.

“Members of your family have written to court stating a change in your attitude but if you can’t maintain it, each time you come back for burglary there will be a starting point of three years in jail.”